![Abhiman Singh Basnet](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Abhiman_Singh_Basnet.jpg)
Basnyat/Basnet family or Basnyat/Basnet dynasty ( ne, बस्न्यात वंश/बस्न्यात काजी खलक) was a
Khas
Khas people (; ne, खस) popularly known as Khas Arya are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the Himalayan region of South Asia, what is now present-day Nepal, Indian states of Uttarakhand, West Bengal and Sikkim. Historical ...
-
Chhetri
Chhetri (Kshetri, Kshettri, Kshetry or Chhettri), ( ne, क्षेत्री ; IAST: ''Kṣetrī'') historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali speakers of Khas community, some of whom trace their origin to migration fro ...
and a warlord clan family involved in the politics and administration of the
Gorkha Kingdom
Gorkha Kingdom ( ne, गोरखा राज्य) was a member of the Chaubisi rajya, a confederation of 24 states on the Indian subcontinent ruled by Khas people. In 1743 CE, the kingdom began a campaign of military expansion, annexing se ...
and
Kingdom of Nepal
The Kingdom of Nepal ( ne, नेपाल अधिराज्य), also known as the Gorkha Empire ( ne, गोरखा अधिराज्य) or Asal Hindustan ( ne, असल हिन्दुस्तान)(), was a Hindu king ...
. This family got entry into Thar Ghar aristocracy group of Gorkha at the time of King
Prithvi Narayan Shah
Maharajadhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723–1775) ( ne, श्री ५ बडामहाराजाधिराज पृथ्वीनारायण शाह देव) was the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and first monarch of the ...
. It was one of the four noble families to be involved in active politics of Nepal together with
Shah dynasty
The Shah dynasty ( ne, शाह वंश), also known as the Shahs of Gorkha or the Royal House of Gorkha, was the ruling Chaubise Thakuri dynasty ; and the founder of Gorkha Kingdom from 1559 to 1768 and later the unified Kingdom of Nepal ...
,
Pande family
The Pande family or Pande dynasty (Also spelled as Pandey or Panday) ( ne, पाँडे वंश/पाँडे काजी खलक; or ) was a Rajput KC (surname), Chhetri political family that directly ruled Nepali administration ...
and
Thapa dynasty
Thapa dynasty or Thapa noble family ( ne, थापा वंश/थापा काजी खलक ) was a Kshatriya political family that handled Nepali administration affairs between 1806 and 1837 A.D. and 1843 to 1845 A.D. as Mukh ...
before the rise of
Rana dynasty
Rana dynasty ( ne, राणा वंश, IAST=Rāṇā vaṃśa , ) is a Chhetri dynasty that imposed totalitarianism in the Kingdom of Nepal from 1846 until 1951, reducing the Shah monarch to a figurehead and making Prime Minister and other ...
. This family is descended from
Shivaram Singh Basnyat
Shivaram Singh Basnyat ( ne, शिवराम सिंह बस्न्यात) was the military commander of Gorkha. After the conquest of Naldum area by the Gorkhalis, he along with Commander Bir Bhadra Thapa conquered Sanga, Panauti, S ...
, the commander of Gorkhali forces and a member of Shreepali Basnyat clan of Gorkha. This family was maritally linked to ''Kala'' (Black) Pande section of
Pande dynasty
The Pande family or Pande dynasty (Also spelled as Pandey or Panday) ( ne, पाँडे वंश/पाँडे काजी खलक; or ) was a Rajput Chhetri political family that directly ruled Nepali administration affairs since ...
through Chitravati Pande who married Kaji
Kehar Singh Basnyat
Kehar Singh Basnyat ( ne, केहरसिंह बस्न्यात) or Kehar Singh Basnet was a Nepalese military commander and warhero who led down his life in the Unification battles of Nepal. He was born in the illustrious clan of Shre ...
. This family was the last Kshatriya (Chhetri) political family to be wiped out from the central power by
Jung Bahadur Rana
Maharaja Jung Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji, (born Bir Narsingh Kunwar ( ne, वीर नरसिंह कुँवर), 18 June 1817; popularly known as Jung Bahadur Rana (JBR, ne, जङ्गबहादुर राणा)) () belonging to the ...
of
Kunwar family
The Kunwar family ( ne, कुँवर परिवार) was a noble Khas-Chhetri family in the Gorkha Kingdom and the Kingdom of Nepal. Kunwars were linked to the Thapa dynasty and family of Amar Singh Thapa by marital lineages and, thus, t ...
during the
Bhandarkhal Massacre in 1846 for the conspiracy to take the power leading to people suffering from the Rana rule for 104 long years.
Tharghar aristocracy
Basnyats/Basnet were part of Tharghar aristocratic group which assisted the rulers of the
Kingdom of Gorkha
Gorkha Kingdom ( ne, गोरखा राज्य) was a member of the Chaubisi rajya, a confederation of 24 states on the Indian subcontinent ruled by Khas people. In 1743 CE, the kingdom began a campaign of military expansion, annexing se ...
and played significant roles in the
Unification of Nepal
The Unification of Nepal, also known as Expansion of Gorkha Kingdom, officially began in 1743 AD (1799 BS) after King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha launched an aggressive annexation campaign seeking to broaden his own kingdom's border. After ...
. Basnets were not initially included in the Tharghar aristocracy group but got entry during the rule of King
Prithvi Narayan Shah
Maharajadhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723–1775) ( ne, श्री ५ बडामहाराजाधिराज पृथ्वीनारायण शाह देव) was the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and first monarch of the ...
together with
Thapas.
Senapati Badabir Shivaram Singh Basnyat
Shivaram Singh Basnyat
Shivaram Singh Basnyat ( ne, शिवराम सिंह बस्न्यात) was the military commander of Gorkha. After the conquest of Naldum area by the Gorkhalis, he along with Commander Bir Bhadra Thapa conquered Sanga, Panauti, S ...
was the first military commander of King
Prithvi Narayan Shah
Maharajadhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723–1775) ( ne, श्री ५ बडामहाराजाधिराज पृथ्वीनारायण शाह देव) was the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and first monarch of the ...
. He was the son of Jaya Ram Singh Basnyat of Gorkha. Shivaram died in the defensive battle of Sanga Chowk during
Unification of Nepal
The Unification of Nepal, also known as Expansion of Gorkha Kingdom, officially began in 1743 AD (1799 BS) after King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha launched an aggressive annexation campaign seeking to broaden his own kingdom's border. After ...
on 1803 B.S. (1747 CE).
Prabal Singh, who lived in Lamjung, had two sons namely Jhapat Singh and Mohajaal Singh. These brothers Jhapat Singh and Mohajaal Singh were believed to have come to Gorkha from Lamjung with King Dravya Shah. Shreepali Basnyat among them Jhapat Singh and Mohajaal Singh, among other courtiers such as Narayan Arjyal and Ganesh Pandey, must have helped King Dravya Shah to secure the throne of Gorkha.
Shivaram Singh Basnyat was a descendant of Jhapat Singh. Shivaram Singh's grandfather was Bir Jadhau Singh. He may have been called ‘Bir’ because he might have shown his bravery during some battles. Shivaram Singh's father Jayaraj Singh was a respected Bhardar in Shah Royal Palace of Gorkha.
Shivaram Singh was the second son of Jayaraj Singh Basnyat and Draupadi Devi. His date of birth is not yet known. But when he was killed in 1803 BS, he was 32 years old. So it is estimated that he was born in 1771 BS. He had one elder brother Jaya Singh and two younger brothers namely Jagatmani Singh and Rana Singh. Shivaram Singh had four sons but his three brothers did not have any children. Shreepali Basnyat family was close to the Shah Royal family of Gorkha and the members of this family were working as courtiers of Gorkha Kingdom for a long time.
In 1803 BS, King Prithvi Narayan Shah called a meeting of trusted courtiers to discuss capturing another route to Tibet (Kuti) by which Kathmandu and other principalities like Bhaktapur and Lalitpur were engaged. It was decided that Sankhu, Changu, Naldum, and Mahadevpokhari needed to be captured. In view of blocking the trade routes, Gorkha wanted to besiege Kathmandu and other principalities and put them in an economic blockade. During that discussion, King wanted to know among the courtiers as to who was ready to lead the Gorkhali troops to conquer those areas. Nobody dared to speak up. There was complete silence for some minutes. Then, a 32-year old Shivaram Singh stood up and offered his services to the King and Gorkha.
Shivaram Singh crossed the Taadi river from Nuwakot and arrived at Patibhanjyang. Then he came to Sangachowk via high altitude of Jhule Lekh, Shivpuri, and to Changu, Sankhu, and Mahadevpokhari. He established a Tharpu (a temporary military camp) with his 900 soldiers in Sangachowk (presently Dware Tole), which is located at the place now called Jahar Singh Pauwa on the highway to Melamchi some 23 km north-east from Kathmandu.
Shivaram Singh was killed while fighting against the enemies on Monday, 5 Falgun 1803 B.S. (corresponding to 13 February 1747 A.D. Falgunsudi 4, Chaturthi). On that day, there was a sudden attack of combined forces of Kathmandu and Lalitpur consisting of about 3000 troops on the Gorkhali forces of 900 troops stationed at Sangachowk Tharpu just before midnight.
In this battle, Bhadgaon soldiers helped Kathmandu and Lalitpur forces by taking their side contrary to the understanding between two Kings i.e. King Prithvi Narayan Shah and King Ranajit Malla. King Prithvi Narayan Shah and Shivaram Singh trusted that a force from Bhaktapur led by Parshuram Thapa would come to his help and rescue. But it was a betrayal to Gorkha by the King of Bhaktapur Ranajit Malla and his Senapati Parshuram Thapa. It seemed that both King Ranajit Malla and Parshuram Thapa had already a tacit understanding on this matter prior to the battle. The combined force of Kathmandu and Lalitpur which was led by Kaji Taudhik Pradhan of Kathmandu attacked Gorkhalis. Thus, the Gorkhali soldiers could not sustain the massive sudden attack at midnight by a larger number of troops. According to Bakhat Man Singh Basnyat, while Shivaram Singh was fighting against Kathmandu troops in the front riding on a white horse, troops of Patan attacked from behind. It was later found that Shivaram Singh was holding his sword in his right hand while a strike of a sword by the enemy soldier of Patan from behind cut off his head. His head fell down. After that, his body fell some meters ahead in a position to attack the enemies.
The motive of Parshuram Thapa and King Ranajit Malla was to engage Gorkha in and around Naldum, Sankhu, Changu, and Mahadevpokhari areas, and incite Chaubisi and Baisi states to attack Gorkha from the western front such as from Lamjung, Kaski, Parbat, etc. After Shivaram Singh was killed in the battle, King Prithvi Narayan Shah was angry with both King Ranajit Malla and Parshuram Thapa.
Betrayal and big conspiracy against Gorkha by King Ranajit Malla and Parshuram Thapa were also evident from another incident mentioned in the Dibya Upadesh. Later, King Prithvi Narayan Shah found out that Parshuram Thapa had sent a letter with some money and material support to Chaubisi states and some of his men with his own brother to persuade them to fight against Gorkha.
Birangana (Heroine) Shoorprabha
Shivaram Singh was married to Sura Prabha, a sister of Bikram Thapa and an aunt of
Birbhadra Thapa
Bir Bhadra Thapa or Birabhadra Thapa ( ne, वीरभद्र थापा) also spelled Virabhadra or Virbhadra, was a politician, courtier and military officer in the Gorkha Kingdom during the 18th century. Born in medieval Tanahun Kingdom, he ...
, the grandfather of
Mukhtiyar
Mukhtiyar ( ne, मुख्तियार) was the position of head of executive of Kingdom of Nepal between 1806 and 1843. It was equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal. There were 7 Mukhtiyars appointed between 1806 and 1843.
Meaning
''Mukhti ...
Bhimsen Thapa
Bhimsen Thapa ( ne, भीमसेन थापा (August 1775 – 29 July 1839)) was a Nepalese statesman who served as the ''Mukhtiyar'' (equivalent to prime minister) and de facto ruler of Nepal from 1806 to 1837. He is widely known as the ...
of the
Bagale Thapa
Bagale Thapa ( ne, बगाले थापा pronunciation:) anciently known as Bagalya Thapa ( ne, बगाल्या थापा) is a prominent clan within Thapa of Khas community. They claim Atreya Gotra. The name of the clan is als ...
clan. Therefore, Birbhadra came from Tanahun Kingdom to
Gorkha Kingdom
Gorkha Kingdom ( ne, गोरखा राज्य) was a member of the Chaubisi rajya, a confederation of 24 states on the Indian subcontinent ruled by Khas people. In 1743 CE, the kingdom began a campaign of military expansion, annexing se ...
leaving all his ancestral property there due to his close family relations with Shivaram Singh. Shivaram Singh recruited his wife's nephew Birbhadra into the minor ranks of
Jamadar
Jemadar or jamadar is a title used for various military and other officials in the Indian subcontinent.
Etymology
The word stems from Urdu (), which derives through Persian ''jam'dar'' from Arabic ''jamā‘a(t)'' 'muster' + Persian ''-dār' ...
in the army of the Gorkha Kingdom who later grew prominent and was considered among the influential Bharadars (courtiers) during annexation of Nuwakot in 1744.
When husband Shivaram Singh was martyred in the battle of Sangachowk, Shoorprabha was estimated to be about 28 years old. She asked for the audience of King Prithvi Narayan Shah. She took all three orphan sons along with her for meeting the King. Dhaukal Singh was not yet born. He was a "garbhe tuhuro" (that means when his father died he was still unborn or in the womb). She requested the King "since her husband- a Tiger died in the war, the four "cubs" should be taken care of by the State and they will be useful in the future battles. She also said that she herself was ready to go to battles if the state permitted." This touched the heart of King Prithvi Narayan Shah and he agreed to take care of all the children under the guidance of senior officials and got trained them in his palace. The four sons were Nahar Singh, Kehar Singh, Abhiman Singh and Dhaukal Singh.
On 14 Shrawan, 1812 BS, a big battle was fought between Gorkha and Lamjung in Siranchowk. Chaubisi states attacked Siranchowk of Gorkha out of jealousy because Gorkha was getting successful in capturing the eastern region like Naldum, Mahadevpokhhari, Sankhu, and Changu. Later it was found that King Ranajit Malla and his commander Parshuram Thapa were behind this game to incite the Chaubisi States.
According to historical accounts, Abhiman Singh was only 10 and a half years old at that time but he participated in that battle.52 Chautaria Mohaddamkirti Shah, Kaji Ranarudra Shah, a half-brother of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, and Kaji Kalu Pandey were leading the Gorkhali forces in this battle. According to one historical account, Nahar Singh and Kehar Singh also had participated in this battle.
In the meantime, news came to the Gorkha Palace from the battlefront that Gorkhali forces were losing the war due to the shortage of food and water for the warriors. There were almost no male members in Gorkha at that time to send the re-enforcement with food and water. A group of courageous women led by the wife of Kaji Ranarudra Shah and Shoorprabha Basnyat with swords in them went to the battlefield in Siranchowk to distribute food and water to the fighters. According to Bhasha Vamsabali, this group of women went up to Chhoprak to distribute eleven sacks of bitten rice (chiura) and "khudo" or "shakhar" (molasis) to the fighters. We can see from this incident that to what extent Gorkhali women were patriotic in times of need. Shoorprabha sent her elder sons Nahar Singh, Kehar Singh and 10 and a half years old son Abhiman Singh to the battle (Yogi Naraharinath (Ed.), Gorkhaliharuko Sainik Itihas, Yog Pracharini Kashi, 2011 BS p. 3.) and she herself went with sacks of food to help Gorkha forces so that it wins the battle. Thus Gorkha won the battle of Siranchok. This is why Shoorprabha was called Birangana (a Hero) in the history of modern Nepal because she was inspiring everybody for the unification of Nepal. Some historians believe that her name was only "Prabha" but "Shoor" (brave) was added later to her name because of her proven courage.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University late Sardar Rudra Raj Pandey was a famous historical drama writer. He wrote a drama on Shoorprabha and her orphan sons, who met with King Prithvi Narayan Shah after Shivaram Singh was killed in the battle.
Similarly, famous historian Yogi Naraharinath has compared Shoorprabha with other great mothers who inspired their sons thus:
"Gorkhali brave men and women are very efficient in attacking enemies with Khukuris in their both hands. They do not know how to retreat and bow to others (enemy). This education is imparted by brave mothers to their sons in their own Gorkhali language like Pandavas got their lessons from their mother Kunti, Shivaji from his mother Jijabai, Prithvi Narayan from mother Chandraprabha and Nahar, Kehar, Abhiman and Dhaukal from their mother Shoorprabha. As such, the descendants of Gorkha will continue to get such lessons in their mothers’ language till Moon, Sun and Earth exist in the world."
Shoorprabha was also a religious-minded lady. She built a Narayan Temple in Timalkot Danda in Kavre at the top of a hill in memory of her husband and lit the lights at the midnight on the day before Janai Purnima. In continuation of this tradition, at present, there is an annual festival on Janai Purnima day at this Temple. About a thousand people gather every year around the Temple from the surrounding villages on this occasion. This Temple is believed to have been built in 1848 BS. (On Senapati Shivaram Singh Basnyat and Birangana Shoorprabha Basnyat, excerpts from the book "Role of Shreepali Basnyat in the Unification of Nepal" by Dr. Niranjan Man Singh Basnyat, published in July 2019, pp. 14–48 and pp. 48–51 respectively) Please refer to Dr. Basnyat's book for details.
King
Prithvi Narayan Shah
Maharajadhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723–1775) ( ne, श्री ५ बडामहाराजाधिराज पृथ्वीनारायण शाह देव) was the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and first monarch of the ...
formed an alliance with the Basnyat dynasty and
Pande dynasty
The Pande family or Pande dynasty (Also spelled as Pandey or Panday) ( ne, पाँडे वंश/पाँडे काजी खलक; or ) was a Rajput Chhetri political family that directly ruled Nepali administration affairs since ...
of Gorkha in his quest for the unification of Nepal. As per his Divya Upadesh, King Prithvi Narayan is known to have arranged the marriage between Kaji
Kehar Singh Basnyat
Kehar Singh Basnyat ( ne, केहरसिंह बस्न्यात) or Kehar Singh Basnet was a Nepalese military commander and warhero who led down his life in the Unification battles of Nepal. He was born in the illustrious clan of Shre ...
, the second son of Senapati Badabir
Shivaram Singh Basnyat
Shivaram Singh Basnyat ( ne, शिवराम सिंह बस्न्यात) was the military commander of Gorkha. After the conquest of Naldum area by the Gorkhalis, he along with Commander Bir Bhadra Thapa conquered Sanga, Panauti, S ...
, and Chitra Devi, the daughter of Kaji
Kalu Pandey
Vamshidhar Pande ( ne, वंशीधर पाँडे) known by Alias Kalu Pande ( ne, कालु पाँडे) was a Nepalese politician and military general who was appointed as Kaji of The Gorkha Kingdom. He was born in 1713 A.D. ...
. Shivaram Singh Basnyat was addressed as Senapati Badabir (Brave Chief of the Army) in all the documents of that era. He died in the defensive battle of Sanga Chowk during
Unification of Nepal
The Unification of Nepal, also known as Expansion of Gorkha Kingdom, officially began in 1743 AD (1799 BS) after King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha launched an aggressive annexation campaign seeking to broaden his own kingdom's border. After ...
on 1803 B.S.
Shivram Singh became the first major military leader of Gorkha who was martyred even before Kaji Kalu Pande in the campaign of unification of Nepal. Later, Birangana Shoorprabha Basnyat, widow of Shivram Singh, constructed the Narayan temple in Timal Danda (Kavre) in honour of her husband Senapati Badabir Shivram Singh. 'Birangana' Shoorprabha was a daughter of
Bagale Thapa
Bagale Thapa ( ne, बगाले थापा pronunciation:) anciently known as Bagalya Thapa ( ne, बगाल्या थापा) is a prominent clan within Thapa of Khas community. They claim Atreya Gotra. The name of the clan is als ...
of Gorkha, who raised her four brave sons after the early martyrdom of her husband. The story of Shoor Prabha is written by former Vice-Chancellor late Rudra Raj Pandey in his epic "Hamro Gaurav" published in 2014 BS.
Sons of Shivaram Singh
![Keharsingh Basnyat](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Keharsingh_Basnyat.jpg)
Kaji
Naahar Singh Basnyat
Naahar Singh Basnyat was a soldier who fought against the forces of Mir Qasim
Mir Qasim ( bn, মীর কাশিম; died 8 May 1777) was the Nawab of Bengal from 1760 to 1763. He was installed as Nawab with the support of the British E ...
, first son of Shivram, fought in the battle of Makwanpur against the forces of Mir Kasim. He was a major military leader in the battle to capture Kantipur, Patan, and Bhadgaun in 1826 B.S. along with his three younger brothers. He also fought in the battle of Tibet in 1845 B.S.
Kaji Kehar Singh went to Tibet to negotiate with it to have the Nepali coins circulated in Tibet. He was the major military/civilian leader who united the western districts and Kathmandu valley to Nepal. He was instrumental in annexing Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur. His contribution to unifying Nepal is incomparable. He was appointed Chief Administrator of Patan immediately after it was annexed to Nepal. King
Prithvi Narayan Shah
Maharajadhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723–1775) ( ne, श्री ५ बडामहाराजाधिराज पृथ्वीनारायण शाह देव) was the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and first monarch of the ...
waged war against western
Chaubise (24) Confederacy in 1770 under the military leadership of Kaji
Vamsharaj Pande
Vamsharaj Pande (a.k.a. Bamsa Raj Pande, Vansha Raj Pande, or Bangsha Raj Pande) ( ne, वंशराज पाँडे; translit. ''vaṃśarāja pām̐ḍe'') was a Nepalese politician, military officer and minister of state. He was a signifi ...
, Kaji
Kehar Singh Basnyat
Kehar Singh Basnyat ( ne, केहरसिंह बस्न्यात) or Kehar Singh Basnet was a Nepalese military commander and warhero who led down his life in the Unification battles of Nepal. He was born in the illustrious clan of Shre ...
and
Sardar
Sardar, also spelled as Sardaar/Sirdar ( fa, سردار, , 'commander', literally 'headmaster'), is a title of royalty and nobility that was originally used to denote princes, noblemen, chiefs, kings and other aristocrats. It has also been u ...
Prabhu Malla and achieved initial success. On 1771, the Gorkhali forces lost the war against Chaubise (24) principalities and Kaji
Kehar Singh Basnyat
Kehar Singh Basnyat ( ne, केहरसिंह बस्न्यात) or Kehar Singh Basnet was a Nepalese military commander and warhero who led down his life in the Unification battles of Nepal. He was born in the illustrious clan of Shre ...
died in the battlefield.
Abhiman Singh Basnyat
Abhiman Singh Basnet/Basnyat ( ne, अभिमान सिंह बस्न्यात) was first Commander-in-Chief of Unified Nepal."Regmi Research Series" Author:Mahesh Chandra Regmi Abhiman Singh became the first Commander in Chief of a U ...
,born on 14 Falgun 1801 B.S., the third son of Senapati Badabir
Shivaram Singh Basnyat
Shivaram Singh Basnyat ( ne, शिवराम सिंह बस्न्यात) was the military commander of Gorkha. After the conquest of Naldum area by the Gorkhalis, he along with Commander Bir Bhadra Thapa conquered Sanga, Panauti, S ...
became the second Commander in Chief of a United Nepal. Abhiman's two elder brothers were Kaji Naahar Singh and Kaji Kehar Singh. His youngest brother Kaji
Dhokal Singh Basnyat
Dhokal Singh Basnyat served as the governor of the Kumaon and Garhwal kingdoms. He is the youngest son of Senapati Shivaram Singh Basnyat and was the first owner of Narayanhiti Palace
The Narayanhiti Palace Museum (Nepali: नारायण ...
, who also became the governor of
Kumaun Gadwal, was the first owner of the present Narayanhity Palace area known as Kirti Mandir at that time. Stone inscription about this is still there inside Narayanhity Palace compound. Abhiman Singh died at the age of fifty-six in Ashad 1857 B.S. when he was sent to settle the area of
Morang
Morang District ( ne, मोरङ जिल्ला ) is located in Province No. 1 in eastern Nepal. It is an Outer Terai district. It borders with Bihar, India to the South, Jhapa to the East, Dhankuta and Panchthar to the North, and Sunsar ...
and Sunsari, then called Kaala Banzaar. He had delivered the jamindari power to tharu and honored with the title of Chaudhari. It was a great injustice to him to have been assigned by King Rana Rahadur Shah to this area of dense forests at that old age when he was already a
Mulkaji
''Mulkaji'' ( ne, मूलकाजी) was the position of head of executive of Kingdom of Nepal in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal. There were 5 Mulkajis appointed between 1785 and 1804.
M ...
. It was because of Abhiman's displeasure about the marriage of Rana Bahadur with the child Brahmin widow Kantivati. He was reported to have suffered from fever, possibly Malaria, and died of it. Despite the Basnyat family's immense contribution to Nepal's Unification, nobody from the Basnyat family was declared Rastriya Bibhuti (National Hero). We cannot undermine the sacrifice made by the brave Basnyat family of six members at that time namely Shivram, Shoor Prabha, Naahar, Kehar,Abhiman and Dhaukal in the unification campaign of King Prithvi Narayan Shah. There were other Basnyats of Shreepali origin such as Ranya (Bangya) Basnyat, Jitman, Bir Dhwaj Basnyat, Indra Bir, Banka Bir, Ranadip Singh, Rana Dhir Singh, Jahar Singh, Kirti Man Singh, Bakhtabar Singh, Bakhat Singh, Kul Man Singh, Prasad Singh, etc. who fought or sacrificed their lives in various battles and wars for the protection of Nepal's sovereignty in the later periods of Nepalese history. Researchers are suggested to read the book jointly written by late Lt. Col. Hanuman Singh Basnyat and late Purna Man Singh Basnyat entitled "Shreepali Basnyat-Parichaya, Published in 2058 BS for details.
King Prithvi Narayan Shah has stressed the importance of the Basnyats in his historic piece known as "Dibya Upadesh" or "Divine Counsel" in English. Here is a link to the translation of the "Dibya Upadesh" into English. This translation was done by Prawin Adhikari, from a transcription originally published by historian
Baburam Acharya
Baburam Acharya ( Nepali: बाबुराम आचार्य) (1888–1971 AD) was a Nepalese historian and literary scholar. He is known as the historian laureate () of Nepal. The four part biography of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, founder ...
from Bakhat man Singh Basnyat. Samudaya.org owns the copyrights to the article.
A quote from the Dibya Upadesh:
It said—"''Now, I will make ties between the Pandes and the Basnyats, so give your daughter to Sivaram Basnyat's son Kehar Singh Basnyat,''" and the two houses were tied by marriage. Thus, after the conjugal tie, with the shields of the Pandes and the swords of the Basnyats, I attacked Nepal.
After the royal palace moved from Gorkha to Basantapur in Kathmandu, the Shreepali Basnyats of Gorkha moved along with the royal family, living close by the palace in Indra Chowk and
Ason
was a prestigious hereditary noble title in Japan, used mainly between Asuka and Heian periods. At first, it was the second highest, below '' Mahito'', which was given to members of the Imperial family, but after Heian period it became the high ...
. Kaji Abhiman Singh constructed a house in 1833 B.S. for himself in Ason, Kathmandu, which is known as Maan Mandir, which still exists as Tilanga Ghar or Paltan Ghar. This Tilanga Ghar should be declared the National Heritage of Nepal and needs to be renovated. Basnyats shared a great amount of power in the court alongside the Pandeys and Thapas. This continued until the reign of King
Rana Bahadur Shah
Rana Bahadur Shah, King of Nepal ( ne, श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज रण बहादुर शाह देव) (1775–1806) was the King of Nepal from 1777 to 1799. In 1777, he succeeded to the throne after the deat ...
, when Prime Minister
Bhimsen Thapa
Bhimsen Thapa ( ne, भीमसेन थापा (August 1775 – 29 July 1839)) was a Nepalese statesman who served as the ''Mukhtiyar'' (equivalent to prime minister) and de facto ruler of Nepal from 1806 to 1837. He is widely known as the ...
came into power and there was a power struggle between the Pandeys and the Thapas. The Basnyats sided with the Pandeys as they had earlier marital links with them back in Gorkha.
Kirtiman Singh and Bakhtawar Singh
![Kirtiman Singh Basnyat-midsize](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Kirtiman_Singh_Basnyat-midsize.jpg)
Kirtiman Singh, Bakhtawar Singh and Jahar Singh were the sons of
Kehar Singh Basnyat
Kehar Singh Basnyat ( ne, केहरसिंह बस्न्यात) or Kehar Singh Basnet was a Nepalese military commander and warhero who led down his life in the Unification battles of Nepal. He was born in the illustrious clan of Shre ...
. Two of them became
Mulkaji
''Mulkaji'' ( ne, मूलकाजी) was the position of head of executive of Kingdom of Nepal in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal. There were 5 Mulkajis appointed between 1785 and 1804.
M ...
of Nepal after their uncle
Abhiman Singh Basnyat
Abhiman Singh Basnet/Basnyat ( ne, अभिमान सिंह बस्न्यात) was first Commander-in-Chief of Unified Nepal."Regmi Research Series" Author:Mahesh Chandra Regmi Abhiman Singh became the first Commander in Chief of a U ...
. Jahar Singh became Kaji only in the annual ''Pajani'' (renewal) of 1825. Abhiman's sons - Ranabir Singh and Ranadip Singh served mostly as a
Sardar
Sardar, also spelled as Sardaar/Sirdar ( fa, سردار, , 'commander', literally 'headmaster'), is a title of royalty and nobility that was originally used to denote princes, noblemen, chiefs, kings and other aristocrats. It has also been u ...
until in 1839, Ranadip being promoted to
Kaji. Dhokal Singh's son Ranadhir Singh became Kaji three times in the years 1819, 1829, and 1830.
In 1794, King
Rana Bahadur Shah
Rana Bahadur Shah, King of Nepal ( ne, श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज रण बहादुर शाह देव) (1775–1806) was the King of Nepal from 1777 to 1799. In 1777, he succeeded to the throne after the deat ...
came of age, and his first act was to re-constitute the government such that his uncle, Chief Chautaria
Bahadur Shah of Nepal
Prince Bahadur Shah ( ne, बहादुर शाह) was the youngest son of King Prithvi Narayan Shah of modern Nepal. He became the regent of Nepal for a brief period after the death of his predecessor Queen Rajendra Laxmi of Nepal and acce ...
, had no official part to play. After removal of
Bahadur Shah of Nepal
Prince Bahadur Shah ( ne, बहादुर शाह) was the youngest son of King Prithvi Narayan Shah of modern Nepal. He became the regent of Nepal for a brief period after the death of his predecessor Queen Rajendra Laxmi of Nepal and acce ...
,
Kirtiman Singh Basnyat
Kirtiman Singh Basnyat ( ne, कीर्तिमान् सिंह बस्न्यात) was Mul Kaji (Chief Minister) of the Royal Court of Nepal between 1794 and his death on 28 September 1801. He was a military commander of the Nepales ...
was appointed as Chief (''Mul'') Kaji among the four Kajis though
Damodar Pande
Damodar Pande ( ne, दामोदर पाँडे) (1752 – March 13, 1804) was the Mulkaji of Nepal (equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal) from 1803 to 1804 and most influential Kaji since 1794 to his death on March 13, 1804. He is al ...
was the most influential
Kaji. Kirtiman had succeeded
Abhiman Singh Basnyat
Abhiman Singh Basnet/Basnyat ( ne, अभिमान सिंह बस्न्यात) was first Commander-in-Chief of Unified Nepal."Regmi Research Series" Author:Mahesh Chandra Regmi Abhiman Singh became the first Commander in Chief of a U ...
as Chief Kaji. He was also a favorite of the Regent
Subarna Prabha Devi
Subarna Prabha Devi (1779–1806) ( ne, सुवर्णप्रभा देवी) was the Queen Regent of Nepal between 1802 and 1806 during the minority of Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah.
Biography
She was the second wife of King Rana Bahadu ...
. He was secretly assassinated on 28 September 1801, by the supporters of
Raj Rajeshwari Devi
Raj Rajeshwari Devi ( ne, राज राजेश्वरी) (died 5 May 1806) was a queen consort and twice regent of Nepal. She was the Queen consort of Rana Bahadur Shah. She ruled as regent during the minority of her son Girvan Yuddha ...
. Another Kaji
Damodar Pande
Damodar Pande ( ne, दामोदर पाँडे) (1752 – March 13, 1804) was the Mulkaji of Nepal (equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal) from 1803 to 1804 and most influential Kaji since 1794 to his death on March 13, 1804. He is al ...
was accused of the murder charges. In the resulting confusion many courtiers were jailed, while some executed, based solely on rumors.
Bakhtawar Singh Basnyat
Bakhtawar Singh Basnyat ( ne, बख्तावर सिँह बस्न्यात) was Mulkazi (Chief Kazi) of Nepal.
Mulkazi Kirtiman Singh Basnyat who was backed by Queen Regent Subarna Prabha Devi, was secretly assassinated on 28 Septem ...
, brother of assassinated Kirtiman Singh, was then given the post of Mulkaji. During his tenure as the ''Mulkaji'', on 28 October 1801, a Treaty of Commerce and Alliance was finally signed between Nepal and East India Company. This led to the establishment of the first
British Resident
A resident minister, or resident for short, is a government official required to take up permanent residence in another country. A representative of his government, he officially has diplomatic functions which are often seen as a form of indir ...
, Captain William O. Knox, who was reluctantly welcomed by the courtiers in Kathmandu on 16 April 1802. The primary objective of Knox's mission was to bring the trade treaty of 1792 into full effect and to establish a "controlling influence" in Nepali politics. Almost eight months after the establishment of the Residency, Rajrajeshwari finally managed to assume the regency on 17 December 1802. Rajrajeshowri's presence in Kathmandu also stirred unrest among the courtiers that aligned themselves around her and Subarnaprabha. Sensing an imminent hostility, Knox aligned himself with Subarnaprabha and attempted to interfere with the internal politics of Nepal. Getting a wind of this matter, Rajrajeshowri dissolved the government and elected new ministers, with Damodar Pande as the Chief (''Mul'') Kaji on February 1803, while the Resident Knox, finding himself persona non grata and the objectives of his mission frustrated, voluntarily left Kathmandu to reside in
Makwanpur
Makwanpur District( ne, मकवानपुर जिल्ला; , a part of Bagmati Province, earlier a part of Narayani Zone, is one of the seventy-seven districts of Nepal. The district, with Hetauda as its district headquarter, as well ...
citing a cholera epidemic.
Fourth generation of Basnyats
The sons of
Bakhtawar Singh Basnyat
Bakhtawar Singh Basnyat ( ne, बख्तावर सिँह बस्न्यात) was Mulkazi (Chief Kazi) of Nepal.
Mulkazi Kirtiman Singh Basnyat who was backed by Queen Regent Subarna Prabha Devi, was secretly assassinated on 28 Septem ...
were the most prominent among their cousins. Kulaman Singh and Prasad Singh, two sons of Bakhtawar Singh, were regular ''Bharadar'' (state-bearing officer) between 1825 and 1839. Kulaman Singh Basnyat was the only consistent
Kaji from the Basnyat family between 1824 and 1839 while his brother Prasad Singh was
Sardar
Sardar, also spelled as Sardaar/Sirdar ( fa, سردار, , 'commander', literally 'headmaster'), is a title of royalty and nobility that was originally used to denote princes, noblemen, chiefs, kings and other aristocrats. It has also been u ...
from 1825 to 1838 before being promoted to Kaji in 1839. Their less prominent brother Buddhiman Singh was a Sardar in 1825 and Kaji in 1838. Jitman Singh, a son of
Kirtiman Singh Basnyat
Kirtiman Singh Basnyat ( ne, कीर्तिमान् सिंह बस्न्यात) was Mul Kaji (Chief Minister) of the Royal Court of Nepal between 1794 and his death on 28 September 1801. He was a military commander of the Nepales ...
, was a Kaji in the two tenures of 1818-1819 and 1834-1837. Bakhan Singh, the son of Jahar Singh, was a
Sardar
Sardar, also spelled as Sardaar/Sirdar ( fa, سردار, , 'commander', literally 'headmaster'), is a title of royalty and nobility that was originally used to denote princes, noblemen, chiefs, kings and other aristocrats. It has also been u ...
and later
Colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
for various tenure between 1816 and 1838.
Basnyat family members
Other members
Gallery
File:Shivaram Singh Basnyat.jpg, Shivaram Singh Basnyat
File:1845 Document Signatures.jpg, Kulaman Singh Basnyat's signature as Kaji (minister)
References
Notes
Sources
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External links
Metrofever.com{{Chhetri communities
Nepalese noble families
Chhetri noble families